Cash register



c. w. GREEN CASH REGISTER Original Filed Oct. 20 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet l April 26, 1932.

C. W, GREEN April 26, 1932.

CASH REGISTER l 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Oct. 2O

pril 26, 1932.

c. wA GREEN CASH REGISTER Original Filed Oct. 20. 1925 4 Sheets-Shea?l 3 C. W. GREEN CASH REGISTER April 26, 1932.

Original Filed Ooi. 20, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 v y U @Z w uw m wr. a 16 dd 1 w //ZVC. ,.l @you wn w, 6

Patented Apr. 26, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES W. GREEN, OF ILION, NEX/V YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY LIESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE NATIONAL CASH REGISTER COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND CASI-I REGISTER Original application filed October 20, 1925, Serial No. 63,695.

1927. Serial No. 200,632.

This invention relates to improvements in the key construction of cash registers of the key-operated type.

This application is a division ot' the copending application of Charles WV. Green, Ser. No. 63,695, iledOct. 20, 1925, to Which reference may be had for a more complete description or' the cash register to which the present invention has been applied. VVhiie the improvements set forth in this application are shown applied to a particular type of cash register illustrated in the parent application their utility is by no means limited to this specilic embodiment. The improvements are of such a nature that they may be applied in various modifications to many other kinds and principles of cash registers and accounting machines.

It is the main object of the present invention to provide a novel form of key latch and key -releasing mechanism which is simple in construction and reliable in action.

According to the present invention, the various operating keys, in their normal positions, are maintained somewhat below the key coupler so that an initial depression oi3 any key will not cause any movement of the coupler. It is during this initial depression of a key that it becomes latched to the key coupler Without causing any movement of the latter. The obvious advantage of this construction is that it permits an easy touch for the latching of any desired keys Which may be selected for operation. In the normal operation of the machine, it is intended that the several keys which are to be operated for the entry of a particular item shall be latched to the key coupler suceessively and singly, so that the operator may control the operation of the machine bythe use of but a single linger of one hand. Thus, Where a series of keys are to be depressed, to represent a particular form of transaction made by a particular clerk for a given amount, involving dollars, dimes and cents, the five keys necessary to represent thetransaction may be successively depressed to their latched positions, Without causing any movement of the coupler. The

Divided and this application. led June 22,

fact that no movement oi the key coupler i required up to this time insures a substantially uniform touch in the operation of all of the keys to be latched. In the past, Wherever' provision has been made in s a key operated machine for a successive latching ot keys to the key coupler, it has been necessary to raise the coupler by the initial operation oil the first key depressed, with the result that a variable amount of touch has been required in the depression of a series or' keys to represent a transaction. lhen the desired keys have been latched to the coupler the operation of the machine may be completed by the full depression o'li any one of the keys already partially depressed or by the full depression 01"' the last key to be latched to the coupler.

Provisions have been made for the release of the keys Which have been latched to the coupler during an operation of the machine so that these keys may be properly restored to their normal positions below the coupler. This release of the keys is effected entirely automatically and remains effective at the time the key coupler is restored to its normal position, so that a weighted bail extending` across all of the keys may return to normal all those keys previously latched to the coupler.

In order that any error which may have been made in the partial depression of the keys may be corrected and the keys restored, Without compelling a full operation of the machine, which would result in the entry of an erroneous record, a manually operable key releasing device is provided, and in accordance with the present invention this device may co-operate With certain portions or the automatic key releasing mechanism to effect a release of latched keys and a restoration of the parts to normal by the aid of the Weighted bail. In this connection, interlocking means are also provided to prevent the misuse of the error key after the operating keys have been moved beyond coupling position.

In adapting the invention for the performance of the objects stated above, the latching mechanism, in the illustrative machine herein disclosed, has been mounted on a separate vertically movable frame, which is independent of the key coupler but is connected for a simultaneous movement by the latter'. By the use of this construction the keys, when partially depressed, are latched to the Vertically movable frame and when the operation of the machine is continued by the full depression of one of the keys all of the latched keys are held, not only by the special latches but also by the usual lip on the key coupler which enters a notch in the rear end of each of the depressed keys.

It is toward the end of the down stroke of the keys that they are released from the special latches on the vertically movable frame, due to divergence of the paths of movement of the ends of the keys and the latches and, on the return stroke of the keys, the latches are held out ot' active position so that it is merely by the engagement of the lip of the Acoupler with the notches of the keys that the latter are held in coupled position. `When the coupler reaches its normal position the lip will have been fully withdrawn from the notches in the keys so that they may be fully restored by the weighted bail. It may be understood that the special latching mechanism preferably comprises a series of separately movable members, such as, bails, one of which is related to each group of keys; for example, one member may be associated with the clerks keys, another' with the transaction keys, another with the dollars amount keys,

another with the dimes amount keys, etc. In

connection with this form of latching mechanism, the present invention includes suitable connections for preventing a full operation of the machine until a key in one of the groups has been partially depressed. In the embodiment herein disclosed these connections co-operate with the latch member or bail associated with the clerks group oi keys so that a full'operation of the machine is prevented until one of the clerks keys has been partially depressed. This mechanism is so constructed, however, that no particular sequence of operation of the keys is compelled and it is immaterial whether the clerks key is depressed prior to or after the depression of either the transaction or amount keys. This form of operation which compels the depression of a clerks key before the machine is fully released for operation, is known as the closed keyboard. In order that the machine may at times be operated on the open keyboard so that a depression of a clerks key will not be compelled, a suitable manipulative device is provided, together with connections to the mechanism normally compelling the operation of a clerks key. On proper adjustment of this manipulative means, therefore, the machine may be made to operate either on the open7 or closed keyboard.

The present machine also includes mechanism whereby the clerks keys may select its corresponding totalizer for operation. As a result of the interlockingr construction between the amount keys and the clerks keys it is necessary to depress a clerks key prior to the amount keys to select the totalizer which it is desired to operate for the entry of a particular item. This mode of o eration is known as the closed keyboard7 operation, but when the machine is conditioned for the open keyboard operation, the operation of the amount keys alone will select the totalizer which is normally selected for operation. When it is desired to select the other totalizer for operation it is necessary to depress the appropriate clerks key.

Reference will now be had to the figures of the drawings which, taken in connection with the detailed description which will follow, constitute a full disclosure of one form of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is an end view of the machine to which the present improvements are applied showing the arrangement of the operating keys, the totalizer selecting mechanism and a part of the improved mechanism by which the keys are latched to the key coupler for further operation.

Fig. 2 is a detail view in elevation of one of the elements comprising a portion of the totalizer engaging devices.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the machine showing the arrangement of the keys, the totalizing devices and the latching mechanism associated with the keys.

Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are detail views of certain portions of the key latching and releasing mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a detail back view in elevation of one of the key latching bails.

Fig. l() is a sectional view taken to the left of the machine showing the control lever for controlling the clerks and amount keys interlock.

The general construction and operation of the various features of the invention as embodied in the illustrative machine having been explained rather fully in the foregoing Y- statement in the objects of the invention a detail description will now be given of the essential elements of the machine embodying the broad invention defined by the claims.

Keys cmd operati/ng mechanism he illustrative machine is of the key-operated type of cash register and is provided with the usual series of operating keys, including amount keys Q() (Figs. 1 and 3) and a number of special keys which will be later described.

The machine, as disclosed, is provided with 27 amounts keys (Fig. 3) for registering amounts from 1 to $9.99, but obviously the capacity of the machine and the designation of the amounts may be varied to suit the particular use to which the invention is put. The amount keys 2O are all mounted on a shaft 2l (Fig. l) extending across the machine and the keys are normally maintained with their forward operating ends elevated by means of a Weighted bail 22 extending across the tops of all the keys in rear of their pivots, the bail having a plurality of arms ext-ending forwardly and pivoted about the key shaft 2l. Depression of the forward end of any key will serve to elevate the weighted bail 22 and carry the upper surface of the latter substantially into engagement with the under cut-out surface of a key coupler 23. At the same time the upper surface 24 toward the rear end of the key will engage the under surface of a projecting lip 25 of the key coupler. Continued depression of the forward end of the key will then serve to elevate the key vcoupler 23 as well as the bail 22 and during this continued movementof the parts the lip 25 of the coupler will enter the notch 26 of the operated key.

rl`he usual connections are provider. from the key coupler to a main operating shaft within the machine, these connections comprising a double rack member 27 (Fig. l) having sets of oppositely facing rack teeth adapted to alternately engage a pinion 28 (Fig. 3) mounted on a main operating shaft- 29 (Fig. l). As is well known in the art, the oscillation of the key coupler 23 by the depression and return of one or more of the operating keys will serve to produce a full rotation of the shaft 29.

Difercatz'al mcc/Lam'sm Adjacent to each of the amount keys 20 and pivoted upon the key supporting shaft 2l is a cam plate 30 (Figs. l and 3), which is provided with an operating cam slot 3l, the slots of the cam plates of a series being graduated to effect an action of from l to 9 units, as will be explained. A suitable connection is provided between each key and its associated cam plate, which may be in the form of a pin 32 mounted in each key and adapted to co-operate with a slot or notch in a forwardly extending arm of the plate. For each group of keys, such as the pennies group the dimes group and the dollars group, there is provided a segment frame comprising a pair of forwardly extending arms 33, loosely mounted upon a transverse shaft 3a. Retween each pair of arms 33 and supported at its ends by the latter is a rod 35, which normally rests in the open end of the graduated cam slots of the series of cam plates 30 associated with the operating keys of a particular group.

Each of the segment frames is movable with its related operating segment 37 mount-- ed on the shaft 34 and adapted to differentially adjust item type carriers and to operate the totalizing devices. The segments 37 are nested (Fig. 3) while the segment frames extend transversely of the machine and to transmit movement from the frames to the segments any suitable cross connections may be used and since this mechanism is not involved. in the present application it is not shown or described in the detail herein. One form which may be used is illustrated in the parent application above identilied.

As the operating key of a particular group is depressed it will rock its associated cam plate 30 by means of the pin and slot connection 32 and this cam plate, through its cam slot 3l, will engage the rod 35 and rock the segment frame related to the key depressed an amount depending upon the value of the cam slot. As the rod 35 is raised by one of the cam plates of a group, it will pass in front of the forward edge of the cam plates associated with the undepressed keys of the group. Rocking of the segment frame will, serve to rock the related actuating segment 37 in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. l) about the shaft 34. Upon release of the operated key after full depression, the parts described will return to their normal positions.

Tomlzeer seleotng mechanism The machine, as herein disclosed, is provided with a plurality of totalizers (two being shown) (Figs. l and which are adapted to selectively receive and accumulate the several amounts entered into the machine. The machine is so constructed that both of the totalizers are normally out of engagement with the actuating segments, but one of them is adaped to be normally rocked into engagement with the segments, at the beginning oi' the down-stroke of the keys, while at the end of the clown-stroke or the beginning of the return of the keys this totalizer is again disengaged from the actuating segments. `When ever it is desired to add an amount in the other totalizer, a clerks or totalizer selecting key is operated and has the effect of causing the engagement with the actuators of the second or selected totalizer and preventing the engagement of the first mentioned totalizer. The preferred form of mechanism for accomplishing the above results will now be explained.

lt will be noted that a pair of totalizer frames 33A and 33B are provided, and these will be hereinafter designated A and B totalizers, respectively. Each totalizer is provided with a pair of supporting hubs 39 (Fig. 3) which are adapted to cri-operate with a pair of studs -iO (Fig. l), project-ing from each of the pair of intermediate supporting frames el and lf2. rlhe totalizer frames 38A and 33B are each provided with totalizer wheel supporting shafts 43A and 43B respectively, on which is mounteda plurality of totalizer wheels 44. Adjacent each of the wheels of the totalizer, and secured to the latter is mounted a pinion 45, which is adapted, at times, to co-operate with the associated driving segment 37 for the purpose of rotating the related totalizer wheel to enter an item.

For the purpose of rocking the totalizers about their supporting studs 40 and in order to carry the pinions 45 into mesh with the actuating segments 37, a rockable and slidable plate 46, is provided (Figs. 1 and 3). This plate is pivoted at 47 to the ripper end of an arm 48 secured to a shaft 49. rl`he rearward end of the plate is provided with a forked projection 50, adapted to co-operate with a pin 51 carried by a rock lever 52 pivoted at 53 to the intermediate frame 41. A downwardly projecting extension of the rock lever carries a suitable pin or roller 54 adapted to co-operate with the raceway of a box cam 55, secured to the main operating shaft 29. This cam is so formed that during the early part of the operation of the machine the rock arm will be lowered, while toward the beginning of the return stroke of the keys and the coupler the arm will be elevated -to its normal position again. It will be obvious that rocking of the arm 52 will impart a rocking movement to the plate 46 first, in a downward or counter-clockwise direction and then upwardly in a clockwise direction. The upper rear corner of the plate 46 is provided with a square notch 56 which provides `a rearwardly extending finger 57. which is adapted to engage the upper surface of the A totalizer wheel supporting shaft 43A. Similarly, toward the forward upper edge of the plate, a square notch 5S is provided and forms a finger 59 adapted to be brought over the upper surface of the forward totalizer wheel supporting shaft 43B.

It will be noted that when the plate 46 is in the position shown in Fig. 1 and the machine is operated to cause the arm 52 and the plate 46 to be rocked downwardly, the finger 57 will engage the A totalizer wheel supporting shaft 43A and rock the pinions 45, carried by the latter, into engagement with the teeth of the actuating segments 37. However, if the plate 46 is shifted, in a manner to be described, slightly to the right of the position shown in Fig. 1, the finger 57 will be carried clear of the A totalizer supporting shaft 43A, while the forward finger 59 will be carried over the B totalizer supporting shaft 43B so that upon a subsequent downward rocking of the plate 46 about its pivot 47, the B totalizer pinions 45 will be meshed with the actuating segments while the A totalizer pinions will not be shifted. Movement of the plate 46, to bring about the reversal of action of the fingers 57 and 59, is produced by shifting of the pivot 47 through rocking of the' shaft 49 and the arm 48 against the action of a spring 60 which normally maintains the parts in the position shown in Fig. 1. Rocking of the shaft 49 is brought about by the operation of a clerks or totalizer selecting key 61, which is designated B and which carries a. pin 62 (Fig. 1) adapted to engage a cam surface 68 on a cam shoe 64 secured to the shaft 49. It will be noted that the cam shoe is so shaped that the initial depression of the key 61 will serve to rock the shaft 49, and hence move the plate 46, to cause the selection of the B totalizer and the disablement of the A totalizer.

Suitable mechanism is provided and associated with the plate 46 for preventing the rocking of one or the other, or both, of the totalizers, when they are not intended to be engaged with the actuating segments. The means, illustrated, for accomplishing this purpose, as best shown in Fig. 2 comprises a detent plate 65 (Fig. 2) pivoted at 66 t0 the intermediate supporting frame 41. A suitable connection is provided between the plate 46 and the detent plate 65 which, as shown, takes the form of a pin 67 extending from the plate 46 into cooperation with a slot 68 in the detent plate 65. In the normal position of the parts a detaining surface 69 of the detent plate is in engagement with the under surface of that B totalizer Wheel supporting shaft 43B, and thereby effectively prevents the rocking of the B totalizer frame during a normal operation of the machine. However, when the plate 46 is shifted forwardly, under the influence of a clerks or totalizer selecting key 61, the surface 69 will be carried away from the shaft 43B while, at the same time, a surface 70 of the plate 65 will be carried under the A totaliZer wheel supporting shaft 43A. Consequently, upon an operation of the machine in which the B clerks key 61 has been depressed, the A totalizer will be positively locked against rocking into engagement with the actuating segments, while rocking of the B totalizer frame will be permitted.

Key lato/Ling mechanism As, has already been explained, the machine herein discloscd is provided with keys of several classes, including a plurality of groups of amount keys 26, a plurality of clerks or totalizer selecting keys comprising the B key 61 and the A key 72 (Fig. 1) and a plurality of special transaction keys 73. All of these keys are maintained in their normal positions by the use of the special weighted bail 22, hereinbefore mentioned. It has already been explained that, in the operation of the machine, the selected keys may be partly depressed without affecting the key coupler, due to the fact that the latter is arrested at some distance above the normal position of the keys by a pair of fixed Ill shoulders 74 (Fig. 1) which are formed on a pair of plates 75 located intermediate the side frames of the machine each having an aperture through which the key shaft 21 is passed and a notch 76 which engages a rod 77. A foot formed at the forward end of each plate rests on a base plate 78 while a rearwardly extending tail 79 of each plate is provided with a shoulder to engage the raised ridge at the rear of the base plate 78. The upper edges of the plates follow the contour of t-he keys under the bail 22 while the lower edges of the plates follow quite closely the contour of the lower edges of the keys.

Provision has been made for the successive partial depression and latching of desired ones of the keys of each group, so that full depression of any one of the key may subsequently result in the complete operation of all of the partially operated keys. The mechanism for accomplishing this result is, furthermore. so designed that the operation of a clerks key may be compelled before a full operation of the machine may be effected. The constructionis such, however, that no predetermined sequence of operation of the keys is enforced. In order that the several keys may be partially depressed, as eX- plained, and then carried by the key coupler for a full operation, and also to prevent-the depression of additional keys after the coupler has been shifted, it has been found desirable to provide the rear ends of each of the key levers with a compound surface adapted to co-operate with the lip of the key coupler, the surface being composed of two arcs generated about two distinct centers. Taking the amount keys, for example, as shown in Fig. 1, a surface 80, which is in an arc about the key shaft 21 as a center, is provided to permit the first partial depression of selected keys, Whereas the longer surface 81 which constitutes an arc about the center or pivotal point of the key coupler 23 is such that as the coupler swings during an operation of tl e machine, it will not interfere with undepressed keys but will serve to prevent the depression of any additional keys after the coupler has commenced its movement.

It will be apparent that if a key was partially depressed and released it would be immediately restored to normal by the bail 22, if suitable means were not provided for holding it in part' lly depressed position. he latching means, for preventing this return (Fie-s. y1 and 6) comprises a .oke-d extension toward the rear end of each of the keys, which is adapted to co-operate with one of a series of bail members 83 pivoted about a sha-ft 84 mounted in upwardly extending arms 711 of upright members or slides 710.

The pair of upright members 710 are slidably mounted in the rear framework 712 of the machine and are adapted to carry at their upper ends portions of the indicating mechanism, but since the latter is not involved in the present application the details of description are not given herein. For a complete showing and description thereof refere1ce may be had to the parent application .fi-63,695, filed Oct. 20, 1925. The pair of right supporting slides 710 are provided with forked extensions 713 (Figs. 1 and 8) adapted to engage pins 714 carried by the eXtreme ends of the key coupler 23. Through the pin and slot connection as the key coupler rises pair of slides 710 willbe raised simultaneously and when the key coupler is restored to its normal position the slides will also be returned to their normal positions.

The number of bails 83 which are required depen ds upon the number of groups of keys, there being one bail for each group of amount keys, such as the dollars, dimes and cents groups, one bail for the clerks keys and one bail for the special transaction keys. All of the bails 88 are normally urged in a counterclockwise direction (Figs. 1, 4 and 6) by means of springs 85 extending between projections on the bails and projections on a pair of separate retaining bails 86 secured to the shaft 84.

As is best shown in Fig. 1, whenever an amount key is depressed sufficiently to carry the rear upper surface 24 into engagement with the lower surface of the key coupler lip 25. the hook 82 will first rock the bail 83, associated therewith, rearwardly until the shoulder of the hook is carried above the lower flange of the associated bail 83, at which time the bail is returned by the spring 85 to engage its flange under the hook, so that return of the key to its normal position will be prevented. Operation of a special transaction key 73 will result in substantially the same latching action.

In order that depression of a clerks key may be enforced, prior to any movement of the key coupler, the bail associated with the clerks keys is of a slightly different form and differs slightly in its action. Attached to one end of the clerks key bail 83 is a downwardly extending arm 89 (Fig. 5) carrying a pin 891, which is adapted to co-operate with a hook member 93 which is pivoted at 94 to a frame plate 941 secured to the underside of the base plate 78 (Figs. 4 and 5). A spring 95 attached to the hook member by a pin 930 and to the frame plate 941 by a pin 96 tends to rock the hook member until a rearwardly extending tail 931 engages the pin 96. lVhen the machine is at rest a pivoted detent pawl 90, which is carried by the key coupler through a pivot pin 91mounted on a plate 92, secured to the coupler, serves to ho`d the clerks key latching bail rearwardly by the engagement of the surface 901 of the detent pawl with the lower overturned flange of the bail. When the bail is so held in rearward position the pin 891, carried by its arm 89, engages under the shoulder 932 of the hook member 93.

A plurality of arms 88 (Figs. 3, 5 and 7) secured by some suitable means, such as pins,

- to the shaft 84:, are located betwe-en the several amount and transaction key bails and each has an overturned foot which engages over the lip of the key coupler, so that as the latter is rocked, during an opera-tion of the machine, its movement will be transmitted to the shaft 84. It will also be recalled that this shaft is carried by an extension of each of the slides 710, which are raised by the key coupler through the co-operation of the forked ends 713 with the pins 714. It will be apparent, therefore, that when the hook member 93 is engaged over the pin 891 upward movement of the shaft 84 is prevented and the key coupler is locked against operation.

Each clerks key 61 and 72 is provided with a laterally extending pin 512 (Figs. 4 and 5) which has its end in the plane of the detent pawl 90 to the rear of the pivot 91 of the latter, so that as any clerks key is depressed to engage its upper surface with th'e underside of the key coupler lip, the detent pawl will be rocked to carry its surface 901Vabove the lower over-turned fiange of the clerks bail 83. This rocking of the detent pawl will permit the spring 85 to rock the clerks key bail to engage the shoulder of the hook 82 of the depressed clerks key and, at the same time to carry the pin 891 from under the shoulder 932 of the hook member 93, with the result that the shaft 84, as well as the key coupler is now unlocked for operation.

The latch retaining bails 86, heretofore mentioned, are normally held against movement, independently of the rocking of shaft 84 by jaws 87 (Fig. 5) on a. pair of the arms 88. The left hand one of these bails 86 5) furthermore, is provided with a finger 861 which serves both to limit the rocking of the clerks bail 83 under the influence of spring 85, when this hail is released by the pivoted pawl 90 and to vaid in the restoration of this latch bail in a manner which will be described. A similar function is performed with respect to the remaining bails 83 by the arms 88, each of which is formed rwith a flat rear surface 880 (Figs. 6, 7 and 9) which is adapted to co-operate with an extension 830 of the overturned flange of each of the adjacent bails 83. Thus, that arm 88 which is between the transaction and dollars groups key latching bails will normally arrest the forward swing of these bails, under the influence of springs 85, due to the engagement of the flange extensions 830 of the bails with the rear edge 880 of the arm. lSo also the other arms 88 will serve to normally arrest the adjacent latch bails. The means whereby the arms 88 and the finger 861 (Fig. 5)

serve to restore the bails 83 to key releasing position will now be described.

Secured toward the right hand end of the shaft 84 is a double lever 98, 99 (Fig. 8) which is normally rocked by a spring 100 until a pin 981 carried by the upper arm 98 engages a finger 715 extending upwardly from the forward arm 711 of the right hand slide 710. A shoulder 991 of the lower arm 99 of the double lever stands normall above an upwardly extending finger 1013 o a slidable and pivoted member 101 which has a slot 1012 surrounding the key shaft 21 and an enlarged opening 1011 surrounding a pin 131 extending from the right hand side of the weighted bail 22. In the normal position of the parts (shown by dotted out-line in Fig. 8) the pin 131 rests on the lower edge of the opening 1011 of the member 101 so that a shoulder 1010 formed at the rear of said member, normally rests upon the upper surface of the base plate 78. As the weighted bail 22 is rocked by the depression of an operating key and the pin 131 is raised (Fig. 8) a spring 102 attached to the forward end of the member 101, serves to rock the latter and tends to maintain the engagement between the lower edge of the opening 1011 and the pin 131. Rocking of the member 101, however, under the influence of spring 102, is limited by the engagement of the upper end of finger 1013 with the shoulder 991. Now, as the operation of the machine continues and the key coupler is elevated, the arm 99 and hence shoulder 991 will be raised in a vertical rectilinear path, whereas the upper end of finger 1013 will travel in an arc about the shaft 21 as a center. At some point in the upward movement of these parts the finger will become disengaged from the shoulder 991 and due to the action of spring 102, a slight extra amount of rocking movement will be imparted to the member 101. When the parts are returned toward normal the rearward surface of the finger 1013, being in engagement with the forward surface of the arm 99, will serve to rock the latter and the shaft 84 against the tension of spring 100, as the paths of movement of the finger and arm converge. Rocking of the shaft 84, as before explained, will result in the rocking of the arms 88 as well as the releasing bails 86, due to the clamping engagement of the jaws 87, so that the finger 861 and the rear edges 880 of the arms 88 will engage their respective bails 83 and rock the latter rearwardly to a gradually increasing extent to maintain the lower overturned flanges out of engagement with the hooks 82 of the latched keys. It will be understood that as the forward ends of the keys are depressed their rear hooked ends will travel away from the flanges of the bails 83 and the co-action between the finger 1013 and arm 99 is such as to entirely prevent the reengagement on the return stroke of the hails 88 and hooks 82, which became disengaged, due to divergence of path on the upstroke. As a result, the weighted bail 22 may continue the restoration of the keys to their normal positions without interference between the bails and hooked ends of the keys. The final movement of the bail 22, through the pin 181, will serve to restore the member 101, likewise, to its normal position, in which the finger 1018 stands directly below the shoulder 991 of arm 99. It has already been mentioned that, during the entire n'iovement of the coupler, all of the latched keys engage their square notches 26 with the lip 25 of the coupler to maintain all of the depresset keys in coupled relation in the manner well known in thev art, but this coupling action, which is all that holds the keys in coupled relation on the return stroke, of course, ceases upon return of the coupler to its normal position.

In order that the pin 891 carried by the arm 89 integral withthe clerks key bail 88, mav be properly restored to its` normal position under the shoulder 982l of the .hook 98, the latter is pivotally mounted, as explained before. rfhe hook is, furthermore, provided with an upper cam surface 988 5) so that even though the clerks key bail 88 is rocked rearwardly, the pin 891 will not be blocked against movement but by co-operation with the cam surface 988 will merely rockthe hook against the action of spring 95. Upon full restoration of the shaft 84, spring will, of course, rock the hook to engage its shoulder over the pin 891.

Manual release of leeg/s Provision has been made, in accordance with the present invention, for the manual release of any keys which have become latched to the coupler. whenever it is desired to release them, without an operation of the machine, due to some error. In providing this function, use has been made of the various elements, above mentioned, which are associated with the automatic release of the latched keys. This manually operable means comprises a release key .105 (Fig. 8\ which extends forwardly similar to the amount keys, the rear end of which fastened to an arm 108 which is loosely pivoted on the shaft 49. The lower end of the arm 108 is provided with alaterally extending nnger which is adapted to co-operate with the curved forward end or finger 1014 of the member 101. Depression of the release key 105 will, therefore, cause the member 101 to be slid rearwardly onthe shaft 21 and the linger 1018 of this member will engage the rear shoulder of arm 99 to rock the shaft 84, and hence all Y of the bails carried by the latter, to cause the tion of the release key, after the key coupler and the main rotation shaft have commenced their operation, a lug 104 is provided on one of the side frames of the machine (Fig. 8) in a position to co-operate with the finger 1014 of the slide 101. It will be seen that when the slide is rocked by the action of the pin 181 upon the upper surface of the opening 1011. just at the commencement of movement of the key coupler, the linger 1014 will be carried in front of the lugl 104 and thereby prevent rearward movement of the slide by the release key 105. rlhe slight rocking of the slide by spring 102, upon the initial depression of a key, to carry the upper end of linger 1018 into engagement with the shoulder 991, however, is not prevented since this is prior to any movement of the coupler. As will be apparent, the lug 104 and finger 1014 serve, also, to form a converse interlock, since, if the release key 105 is first depressed, the lower end of linger 1014 will be carried over the lug 104 and the opening 1011 of the slide acting on pin 181 of the weighted bail will prevent suiiicient movement of the latter' to rock the key coupler.

Mem/aal control of interlocking clem/'ces The interlock previously described compels the operation of either clerks key 61 or 72 during each operation of the machine. This is known as the closed keyboard. Sometimes it is desirable to operate the machine on the open keyboard arrangement which permits the operation of the machine without requiring the depression of a clerks key. In this instance depression of an amount key alone will permit the operation of the totalizer 88A since the totalizer selecting mechanism is normally set to engage the A totalizer with the actuating segments thus simplifying operations of the machine since in this case it is not necessary to depress the A key 72. However, to select totalizer 88B it is necessary to depress the B key 61.

For the purpose of determining whether the machine is to operate on the open or the closed keyboard the machine includes a control lever 816 (Fig. 10) pivoted about the segment shaft 84. The lever 816 may have its upper end extending through a slot in the main casing of the machine, so that when a lid 8 is raised, this lever may be set in either of its two positions. indicated by the notches in the casing'. At the lower end of the lower arm of the lever 816, is pivotally carried one end of a slide 818, whose rear end is slotted topermit sliding` upon the stud 94 which supports the lockinghook 98. A cam opening 8181 in the slide 818 is adapted to co-operate with a pin 984 which may be mounted in a forward extension of a modified form of the locking hook 98. `When the lever o16 is in the position shown in Fig. 10 the pin 984 is free to rise, vertically, in the forward end of the opening 3181 so that the hook 93 may normally be rocked by the spring 95 to engage its shoulder 932 over the pin 891 to lock the key coupler against operation until a M clerks key has been latched and has permitted the clerks key bail to rock forwardly. The' pin 934, at this time, co-operating with the bottom of the opening 31.81, serve to limit the rocking moyement ot the hook 93. At the same time, the vertical rise of the opening 3181, at this point, will permit the rocking of plate 93 counter-clockwise upon the return of the pin 891 toward the end of an operation of the coupler. `\low, it the lever 316 is shifted to its upper position the slide 318 will be moved forwardly and the lower cam edge of the opening will positively rock the hook 93 to disengage its shoulder 932 from the Vpin 891. Obviously, when the hook is in this position, it will not be necessary to operate a clerks key, to release the machine, and there results what is known as he open keyboard arrangement.

In describing the construction of the mechanism comprised bythe improvement it has been necessary incidentally to give a thorough explanation of the operation of the different devices. It is thought, therefore, that the usual summary of the operation may in this case be omitted.

While the form of mechanism hereing described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to coniine the inyention to the one form of embodiment herein shown, since it may be embodied in various forms, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow:

W'hat is claimed is z- 1. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of operating keys, a common member operated by said keys after an initial movement of the latter, co-acting means on said common member and said keys for connecting the keys to the common member during movement of the latter, separate means for maintaing the keys in partially operated position. prior to any movement of the common member and means operated automatically during an operation of the keys for releasing said last mentioned holding means prior to the return of the common member to its normal. position.

2. ln a machine ot the class described. a plurality of operating keys having an initial partial movement and a iinal full mover ent, a common member operated by said keys during tbe final moyementof the latter. said keys and member having co-acting means for connecting the keys to the member during such final movement. separate latching means mounted tor movement with the common member and adapted to hold the keys when given an initial partial movement. means for automatically releasing said' separate latching means during the operation of said common member, and means for restoring the keys to their normal position after said common member reaches its normal position.

3. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of operating keys, a key coupler normally spaced above the keys, a frame mounted for movement with the key coupler, means carried by said frame for retaining said keys when partially depressed, co-acting means on said coupler and said keys for connecting the latter to the coupler during further movement of the keys, means for releasing saidv key retaining means during the operation of the coupler, said releasing means remaining active when the coupler is returned to normal position, and means for restoring the keys to their normal position below the coupler.

4. In a machine of the. class described, a plurality of rockable operating keys, a key coupler normally spaced above said operating keys. a vertically movable frame operated by .said coupler. latching means carried by said trame to hold said keys when rocked into engagement with said' coupler, means for locking said keys to the coupler upon movement of the latter, and means automatically operated by the movement of said frame for releasing said latching means, whereby said keys may be restored below said coupler on the return movement of the parts.

5. In a machine of the class described. a plurality of operating keys. a key coupler normally spaced above said keys, means for moving or restoring said keys to a position below said coupler. means for latching said keys when depressed sufiiciently to engage said coupler. co-acting means on said coupler and keys tor connecting the latter to the coupler when the coupler is moved from normal position, and means operated by said key restoring means for releasing said latch during the operation of the coupler, whereby' said key restoring means may return the keys to normal position upon return of the coupler to its normal position.

6. .Tn a machine of the class described. a plurality of operating keys. a key coupler normally spaced above said keys. means for moving or restoring said keys to a position below said coupler. means for latching said keys when. suiiiciently depressed to engage said coupler. co-acting means on said coupler and keys tor connecting the latter to the coupler when the coupler is moved from normal position. a member operated by said key restoring means for releasing said latching means during the operation of the coupler, whereby said key restoring means may rcturn the keys to normal position upon return et the coupler to its normal position, and manually operable means for operating said ico latch releasing member independently of an operation of the coupler.

7. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of operating keys, al common operating member driven by said keys, means for latching one or more of said keys to said member prior to movement of the latter, manual means for releasing the latched keys, and means preventing operation of said manual means after said common member has commenced its movement.

8. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of operating keys, a key coupler common thereto, means for retaining said keys in partially operated position, manual means for releasing said keys prior to movement of said coupler, and means preventing operation of said coupler when said manual means is operated.

9. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of operating keys arranged in groups, said keys having an initial and a iinal movement of depression, a frame shiftable by the final movement of said keys, separate means carried by said frame for holding the keys of each group when given their` initial movement, means controlled by the holding means for one group of keys to prevent an operation oithe frame until a key of said group has been given its initial movement, and means operated during the movement off said frame to release all of said keys prior to the return of said frame to normal posiy tion.

10. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of keys arranged in groups, a common member operated by said keys, separate means for each of said groups of keys for latching the keys to said common member, and means controlled by the latching means for one of said groups of keys for preventing the operation of said common member.

11. In a machine of the class described, a

plurality of keys arranged in groups, a comi' mon member operated by said keys, separate means for each of said groups of keys for latching the keys to said common member, means controlled by the latching means for one of said groups of keys for preventing the operation of said common member, and manual means for disabling said means tor preventing the operation of the common member.

12. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of keys arranged in groups, a common operating mechanism driven by said keys, means normally compelling the operation of a key of one of said groups during each operation of said common operating means, and a normally inaccessible manipulative device for disabling said compelling means.

13. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of keys arranged in groups, said keys being capable of a partial and full operation, means normally preventing a full operation of the keys of a plurality of said groups, means controlled by the keys of another special group for disabling said preventing means, and a manipulative device for permitting the full depression of any of said keys Without the depression of a key of said special group.

14. In a machine oi the class described, a plurality of operating keys arranged in groups, a common operating member driven by said keys, means normally preventing the operation of said common operating means, connections from one of said groups of keys for disabling said prevent-ing means, and a settable member independent of said groups of keys for disabling said preventing means.

15. In a machine of the class described, a key coupler, a plurality of oscillatable keys normally some distance below said coupler, any one of said keys being adapted to rock said coupler, means movable with said coupler for holding said keys when partially rocked into engagement With said coupler, said holding means, when said coupler is operated, being adapted to carry with it all of the keys thus partially depressed, and means for preventing the operation of said holding means upon return of the coupler to its normal position.

16. In a machine ot thc class described, a plurality of depressible operating keys arranged in groups, the keys in one of said groups being normally free for operation, and means compelling the operation of a key in said group, prior to the full depression of a key in any other group, said means permitting a partial depression of the keys in said other groups.

17. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of oscillatable keys having an initial and final movement in one direction, means for restoring the keys to normal position, means for retaining the keys in their initially moved positions, and means operated by said key restoring means for preventing the operation of said retaining means during the return stroke of said keys.

18. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of operating keys arranged in groups, a plurality of members universal to said operating keys of all of the groups and operated by the latter, means normally preventing the operation of one oi said universal members but permitting the partial operation of the other, and means controlled by the keys of one of said groups for disabling said preventing means, whereby a key of any group may complete the operation of both of said universal members after a key of said one group has been operated.

19. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of operating keys mounted for movement about a fixed pivot, a key coupler normally spaced above said keys and adapt- Iso -, said keys are latched for movement with both V said coupler and frame, said co-acting means between said frame and keys being disengaged by their divergent paths of movement, and means preventing the re-engagement of y. said means on the return movement of said frame and keys.

20. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of pivoted operating keys, a longitudinally movable frame operated by any M of said keys, co-acting means carried by said frame and said keys whereby a plurality of the latter may be latched to said frame, said co-acting means between said frame and keys being disengaged during the operation of said frame by the keys, and means preventing the re-engagement of said means on the return movement of said frame and keys.

21. In a machine of the class described, rockable operating keys, a frame adapted to be moved by said keys after an initial movement of the latter, means for latching said keys to said frame upon the initial movement of the keys, a pivoted and slidable member co-operating with said latehing means to release the latter upon movement oi the trame, and a manipulative device for moving said pivoted and slidable member to release said keys independently of the movement of the frame.

Q2. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of oscillatable operating keys, a key coupler, a member for normally moving said keys to a position spaced below the coupler, means for latching the keys in engagement with the coupler, said means being mounted for movement with the coupler, means movable both with and independently of said member, and co-acting elements carried by said last mentioned means and said latching means to retain the latter in released position upon return of the coupler to normal at the end of an oscillation, said member serving to restore said keys below the coupler when so released.

23. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of depressible keys arranged fin groups, a member common to and operated by said keys, separate means individual to each or" said groups of keys for connecting depressed keys to said common member, a second member common to said keys and operated by the latter and means operated by said second member for disabling the connection between said keys and said first mentioned member. 4

24. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of keys arranged in groups, a plurality of totalizers, means under control of the keys of one group for selecting a totalizer for operation, means controlled by the keys of another group for operating the selected totalizer, a member common to said keys and operated by the latter, separate means for latching operated keys of each group to said common member, and means controlled by the latching means for the keys of the first mentioned group for compelling the selection of a totalizer prior to the operation of the totalizer operating means.

25. In a machine of the class described, a totalizer, a plurality of groups of keys, means compelling an operation of all of said groups of keys for controlling the operation of said totalizer for accumulating items, and normally inaccessible means disabling said compelling means whereby operation of said totalizer is controlled for accumulating items by but one group of said keys.

26. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of totalizers, a plurality of groups of keys, one of said groups of keys being eiective to select a desired totalizer for operation, means compelling an operation of both groups of keys for controlling the operation of the selected totalizer for accumulating items, and normally inaccessible means disabling said compelling means whereby operation oi said totalizer is controlled for accumulating items by but one group of keys.

CHARLES W. GREEN. 

